Benchmark research · International Stocks
ETFs and Stocks That Consistently Outperformed VXUS (International Stocks)
Any investment can look great over a single hand-picked timeframe. To find what truly kept ahead of VXUS (Vanguard Total International Stock ETF), we screened VXUS against the entire market of over 10,000 stocks and ETFs across 8 different time windows from 1 month to 10 years, including reinvested dividends. A contender had to come out ahead in both the short term and the long term to make the list. Data as of October 20, 2026.
Compare the entire market against VXUS live →Key findings
- How hard it was to top VXUS: The screen covered over 10,000 stocks and ETFs, and outperformance was not common. Of 956 eligible ETFs, 297, or 31%, topped VXUS in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods; 139 were all-weather, outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Among 1,502 eligible stocks, 409, or 27%, met the consistency rule, and 183 were all-weather.
- Who came out ahead across the three groups:
- Popular alternatives: DXJ and SPY topped VXUS in all 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods. URTH, ACWI, and VT each outperformed in 4 of 5 short-term periods and all 3 long-term periods. VEA fell short with 2 of 5 short-term periods, despite topping VXUS in all 3 long-term periods. IXUS was excluded as a same-index fund.
- Top ETFs: Broad-market and technology funds led the displayed group, with 7 Broad Market and 4 Technology funds among the top ETFs. RSPT, QQQ, FXL, and CIBR each outperformed in all 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods.
- Top stocks: 409 stocks met the consistency rule. The leading names included healthcare companies NTRA and LLY, technology company FTNT, and industrials company BWLP; each topped VXUS in all 5 short-term and all 3 long-term periods.
- The risk trade-off: The top ETFs and stocks had higher volatility than VXUS over 5 years, and none of the displayed top ETFs or stocks were less volatile. Still, 14 of 15 top ETFs and all 10 top stocks had higher Sharpe ratios than the benchmark, meaning most delivered more return per unit of risk despite larger price swings.
How popular alternatives compare
Well-known funds and stocks investors often compare against VXUS, sorted by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term.
| Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | ||
| VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (benchmark) | — | −3.9% | +1.0% | +0.9% | +10.2% | +14.6% | +77.2% | +48.6% | +140% | 16.4% | 0.57 |
| DXJ Made the listWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | 0.0% | +4.7% | +9.9% | +25.0% | +36.4% | +127% | +225% | +428% | 19.1%1.2× VXUS | 1.34 |
| SPY Made the listState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −0.6% | +3.9% | +9.1% | +13.5% | +15.8% | +89.3% | +81.7% | +321% | 17.1%1.0× VXUS | 0.79 |
| URTH Made the listiShares MSCI World ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.1% | +3.1% | +6.8% | +11.9% | +14.9% | +84.5% | +69.3% | +245% | 16.3%1.0× VXUS | 0.73 |
| ACWI Made the listiShares MSCI ACWI ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.9% | +2.8% | +6.2% | +12.1% | +15.1% | +84.5% | +65.1% | +227% | 16.2%1.0× VXUS | 0.70 |
| VT Made the listVanguard Total World Stock ETF | 4/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.9% | +2.5% | +5.5% | +12.0% | +15.0% | +83.8% | +63.3% | +223% | 16.2%1.0× VXUS | 0.69 |
| IDV Made the listiShares International Select Dividend ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −2.9% | +1.0% | 0.0% | +11.1% | +22.0% | +105% | +82.6% | +159% | 15.5%0.9× VXUS | 0.86 |
| SCHF Made the listSchwab International Equity ETF | 3/5 short3/3 long | −3.8% | +0.7% | +1.7% | +11.7% | +17.3% | +80.9% | +57.7% | +155% | 16.8%1.0× VXUS | 0.63 |
| VEA Fell shortVanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF | 2/5 short3/3 long | −3.5% | +1.0% | +1.4% | +11.5% | +17.0% | +81.0% | +55.9% | +153% | 16.9%1.0× VXUS | 0.61 |
| DBEF Made the listXtrackers MSCI EAFE Hedged Equity ETF | 5/5 short2/3 long | −1.0% | +1.5% | +5.3% | +12.8% | +17.7% | +74.6% | +85.0% | +206% | 13.8%0.8× VXUS | 0.96 |
| EEM Fell shortiShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF | 2/5 short1/3 long | −8.0% | −0.4% | +0.7% | +13.2% | +17.6% | +84.9% | +35.7% | +110% | 20.0%1.2× VXUS | 0.41 |
| EFA Fell shortiShares MSCI EAFE ETF | 1/5 short1/3 long | −2.3% | +1.1% | +1.4% | +8.6% | +12.5% | +71.2% | +51.0% | +139% | 16.6%1.0× VXUS | 0.58 |
| IEFA Fell shortiShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF | 1/5 short0/3 long | −2.4% | +1.2% | +1.3% | +8.8% | +12.8% | +72.4% | +49.0% | +140% | 16.6%1.0× VXUS | 0.56 |
| EFG Fell shortiShares MSCI EAFE Growth ETF | 1/5 short0/3 long | −1.8% | +0.4% | −1.1% | +4.5% | +4.1% | +51.3% | +18.5% | +111% | 18.5%1.1× VXUS | 0.28 |
| VWO Fell shortVanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF | 0/5 short0/3 long | −4.7% | +0.7% | −0.8% | +6.4% | +8.3% | +67.2% | +29.1% | +102% | 17.5%1.1× VXUS | 0.38 |
ETFs that consistently outperformed VXUS
Top 15 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Green cells outperformed VXUS in that period. Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Fund | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Expense | Assets | |||
| — | VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (benchmark) | — | −3.9% | +1.0% | +0.9% | +10.2% | +14.6% | +77.2% | +48.6% | +140% | 16.4% | 0.57 | ||
| 1 | RSPT TechnologyInvesco S&P 500 Equal Weight Technology ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.8% | +8.4% | +24.4% | +41.0% | +42.9% | +141% | +119% | +572% | 25.1%1.5× VXUS | 0.75 | 0.40% | $6.1B |
| 2 | QQQ Broad MarketInvesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −3.2% | +3.2% | +11.2% | +17.4% | +17.9% | +106% | +97.2% | +553% | 23.0%1.4× VXUS | 0.71 | 0.18% | $492B |
| 3 | FXL TechnologyFirst Trust Technology AlphaDEX Fund | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.5% | +10.4% | +18.9% | +28.7% | +28.3% | +103% | +68.2% | +523% | 26.2%1.6× VXUS | 0.53 | 0.60% | $2.7B |
| 4 | CIBR TechnologyFirst Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.6% | +9.4% | +49.9% | +42.4% | +31.9% | +127% | +93.2% | +454% | 26.1%1.6× VXUS | 0.64 | 0.58% | $17B |
| 5 | ONEQ Broad MarketFidelity Nasdaq Composite Index ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.5% | +3.7% | +8.6% | +14.4% | +15.9% | +107% | +83.6% | +453% | 22.5%1.4× VXUS | 0.65 | 0.21% | $11B |
| 6 | DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | 0.0% | +4.7% | +9.9% | +25.0% | +36.4% | +127% | +225% | +428% | 19.1%1.2× VXUS | 1.34 | 0.48% | $8.1B |
| 7 | SPYG Broad MarketState Street SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 Growth ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.4% | +4.0% | +9.9% | +13.9% | +15.8% | +110% | +86.5% | +418% | 21.5%1.3× VXUS | 0.69 | 0.04% | $57B |
| 8 | VOOG Broad MarketVanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.3% | +4.0% | +9.9% | +13.9% | +15.8% | +110% | +86.0% | +416% | 21.6%1.3× VXUS | 0.69 | 0.07% | $28B |
| 9 | IVW Broad MarketiShares S&P 500 Growth ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.4% | +4.0% | +9.8% | +13.8% | +15.7% | +109% | +85.3% | +413% | 21.5%1.3× VXUS | 0.68 | 0.18% | $77B |
| 10 | IUSG Broad MarketiShares Core S&P U.S. Growth ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.3% | +3.8% | +9.4% | +13.9% | +15.9% | +107% | +83.7% | +405% | 21.2%1.3× VXUS | 0.68 | 0.04% | $33B |
| 11 | UGA CommoditiesUnited States Gasoline Fund, LP | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −0.9% | +16.9% | +40.5% | +130% | +130% | +111% | +221% | +399% | 35.1%2.1× VXUS | 0.84 | 1.08% | $167M |
| 12 | TDIV TechnologyFirst Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.7% | +5.3% | +8.6% | +17.7% | +15.2% | +117% | +111% | +388% | 21.3%1.3× VXUS | 0.81 | 0.50% | $4.4B |
| 13 | IOO InternationaliShares Global 100 ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.1% | +4.6% | +9.3% | +14.2% | +19.9% | +105% | +107% | +361% | 17.2%1.0× VXUS | 0.94 | 0.40% | $9.2B |
| 14 | MGC Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Mega Cap ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.0% | +4.4% | +10.0% | +13.6% | +16.0% | +94.9% | +87.8% | +353% | 17.4%1.1× VXUS | 0.81 | 0.05% | $11B |
| 15 | DBJP InternationalXtrackers MSCI Japan Hedged Equity ETF | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.7% | +3.4% | +8.5% | +21.9% | +29.0% | +113% | +159% | +348% | 19.2%1.2× VXUS | 1.09 | 0.45% | $726M |
Stocks that consistently outperformed VXUS
Top 10 by long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then by 10Y return. Individual stocks swing far more than funds; check the volatility column.
| # | Investment | Periods outperformed | Short term | Long term | Risk · 5 years | Company | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y | Volatilitylower is calmer | Sharpe ratiohigher is better | Market cap | |||
| — | VXUS Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (benchmark) | — | −3.9% | +1.0% | +0.9% | +10.2% | +14.6% | +77.2% | +48.6% | +140% | 16.4% | 0.57 | |
| 1 | NTRA Medical - Diagnostics & ResearchNatera, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +9.5% | +54.6% | +95.4% | +77.4% | +115% | +896% | +261% | +3,841% | 57.6%3.5× VXUS | 0.74 | $59B |
| 2 | BWLP Marine ShippingBW LPG Limited | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −1.7% | +22.6% | +44.0% | +117% | +136% | +230% | +958% | +2,672% | 50.9%3.1× VXUS | 1.19 | $3.8B |
| 3 | FTNT Software - InfrastructureFortinet, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | −2.5% | +6.6% | +107% | +119% | +101% | +203% | +156% | +2,626% | 44.8%2.7× VXUS | 0.65 | $125B |
| 4 | LLY Drug Manufacturers - GeneralEli Lilly and Company | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +10.2% | +12.1% | +40.0% | +19.4% | +59.7% | +124% | +451% | +1,807% | 32.8%2.0× VXUS | 1.21 | $1.2T |
| 5 | CORT Medical - PharmaceuticalsCorcept Therapeutics Incorporated | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +2.4% | +27.2% | +151% | +205% | +48.2% | +317% | +498% | +1,593% | 75.9%4.6× VXUS | 0.81 | $13B |
| 6 | COKE Beverages - Non-AlcoholicCoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.3% | +17.3% | +14.9% | +42.9% | +61.7% | +255% | +461% | +1,569% | 38.0%2.3× VXUS | 1.10 | $14B |
| 7 | CVI Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingCVR Energy, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +16.4% | +79.1% | +106% | +147% | +78.5% | +115% | +304% | +1,424% | 52.3%3.2× VXUS | 0.80 | $6.2B |
| 8 | MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +18.1% | +51.1% | +123% | +191% | +159% | +234% | +690% | +1,387% | 33.4%2.0× VXUS | 1.41 | $133B |
| 9 | WSM Specialty RetailWilliams-Sonoma, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +12.2% | +14.1% | +26.5% | +37.0% | +35.6% | +238% | +199% | +1,268% | 44.4%2.7× VXUS | 0.71 | $30B |
| 10 | HALO BiotechnologyHalozyme Therapeutics, Inc. | 5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather | +11.6% | +61.3% | +78.8% | +76.9% | +87.1% | +254% | +226% | +1,196% | 40.4%2.5× VXUS | 0.79 | $14B |
What stands out
The ETF leaders included broad-market and technology funds, while the standout stocks came from several sectors, including healthcare, technology, industrials, energy, and consumer staples. Their lead was not limited to recent performance: each stock named above and the four ETFs highlighted outperformed VXUS across all 3 long-term periods as well as all 5 short-term periods. The results point to strength across different types of investments, though the top stocks are individual companies rather than a broad portfolio.
The ride was bumpier than VXUS's. Over 5 years, the median volatility was 21.5% for the top ETFs and 44.6% for the top stocks, compared with 16.4% for VXUS. Their median Sharpe ratios were also higher, at 0.71 for ETFs and 0.80 for stocks, compared with 0.57 for VXUS. That suggests the winners generally delivered stronger returns relative to their risk, but the higher volatility still meant wider price swings.
Methodology
- Short-term periods: 1M, 3M, 6M, YTD, 1Y. Long-term periods: 3Y, 5Y, 10Y. An investment outperformed a period when its total return, with dividends reinvested, was higher than VXUS's. Returns within 0.5 points or 3% of VXUS's (whichever is larger) count as a tie and are shown in gray.
- Consistent means outperforming in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods, so a recent hot streak alone is not enough. All-weather means outperforming in every long-term period and all but one short-term period. Rankings use long-term periods outperformed, then short-term, then the 10Y return.
- Excludes leveraged and inverse funds, ETFs under $100M in assets, stocks under $2.0B in market cap, and anything without 10 years of history.
- 1 ETFs that track essentially the same returns as VXUS (IXUS) are excluded, since tiny fee differences decide whether they finish ahead.
- Volatility is the annualized standard deviation of daily returns over 5 years. The Sharpe ratio is return above cash divided by volatility over the same period: higher means more return per unit of risk.
- Returns and risk figures are computed from daily adjusted prices and update with each market day. Past performance does not predict future results.